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ScanTech by Ken Reiss |
 Hamvention still ranks as the largest single ham event during the year, and perhaps the largest electronics event outside of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The parking lot of the Hara arena was filled with flea marketers and commercial dealers who couldn’t get a spot inside, or who chose not to pay the higher rents inside. This year, it rained most of the day on Saturday, so perhaps that gamble didn’t pay off. Inside the arena, it was business as usual. Just a bit more crowded as the rain drove would-be flea marketers inside for the day. Friday and Sunday were very nice days, so the flea market did have its chance too!
Jeff Reinhardt from AOR is demonstrating the new digital transmission modules to an eager audience. Intended for the ham market, this digital modulator plugs into the microphone and speaker jacks of an existing transceiver. When a digital unit is found at the other end, the units can switch into digital mode and the results are nothing less than stunning. It sounds almost like FM on HF! One of the problems with digital in the ham world is the lack of standards. AOR is promoting this standard (as are a half-dozen other companies) as an open way of encoding within existing technology and bandwidth. Stay tuned— I’m sure we’ll be seeing and hearing more about this development! |
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Here’s a booth that was never quiet. And where’s Harold? Nowhere to be found, of course... |
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Another year, another Dayton Hamvention, and 2003 offered some interesting announcements for scanner enthusiasts, although perhaps not quite as many as in past years. Unfortunately, due to magazine lead times, this is the first issue in which we could tell you about the announcements, but now here’s what was new and exciting. Frequency Of The Month Our frequency this month is 155.655. Have a listen and let me know what you hear—or don’t hear. Send your entry via e-mail to radioken@earthlink.net or via snail mail to Ken Reiss, 9051 Watson Rd. #309, St. Louis, MO 63126. Don’t forget to write the frequency in the subject line or on the envelope so it gets routed to the proper drawing! Also don’t hesitate to send your questions to the same address.
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